Self-care Series Video #2 - DIY CP Shampoo Bars

Hello, Welcome to Sherri's Heavenly Apothecary, I'm Sherri.

Today, for the second video in the self-care series on DIY hygiene products, I am making a cold-processed shampoo bar. A coconut milk, herbs & honey cold-processed shampoo bar to be exact!

I realize not everyone is a fan of cold-process shampoo bars, and I understand. I used to feel the same way until I did, (you guessed it) some research and found that they are pretty much the most natural type of cleansing agent you can use. I understand the controversy and cons; high pH levels, tangles, breakage, etc. and I once was in that camp, (I believe all this can be remedied by using a vinegar rinse after shampooing). However, after doing a deeper dive I discovered that even most of the so-called natural product ingredients including those that are popular in "syn-det" bars and (most commercial and natural shampoos sold everywhere) were found in some cases to be endocrine/hormone disrupters! I decided then and there, that I wanted to do better for myself and you!

You see, as a therapist I understand the importance of self-care and that is why I am creating this series, with the idea in mind, that creating all-natural self-care/personal-care/hygiene products for yourself is the ultimate form of self-care and self-love. In my opinion, it is a very satisfying feeling to use products that you love, that truly promote your health and well-being, knowing that you created them. It is very empowering!

Here is the recipe as promised:

I made a 24 oz. (oil weight) batch - 2.275 lbs before the cure
(I use organic whenever possible)

Water 35% of oil weight
Superfat 5%

Water - 8.40oz total:
I split this up as follows:
4.20oz frozen herb-tea ice-cubes I made by steeping 2 tbs each of dried lavender, rosemary & peppermint leaf in distilled water for a couple of hours and then filling up my ice trays and popping them in the freezer.
4.20oz coconut milk from the can. I poured it over the ice cubes so it would not overheat and get all burned up or saponified once the lye was poured in. This is a very important step. You can also freeze the coconut milk.

3.25oz/92.24g - Lye

Oils:
6.96oz/197.31g - Coconut oil (29%)
4.32oz/122.47g - Macadamia Nut Oil (18%)
4.32oz/122.47g - Olive Oil (18%)
3.36oz/95.25g - Castor Oil (14%)
1.68oz/47.63g - Almond Oil (7%)
1.68oz/47.63g - Jojoba Oil (7%)
0.58oz/16.33g - Shea Butter (2.40%)
0.55oz/15.65g - Mango Butter (2.30%)
0.55oz/15.65g - Cocoa Butter (2.30%)

Additives:
1/2 Tbs organic wildflower honey mixed into 1 Tbs distilled water - and blended in after light trace
2 Tbs - finely ground organic oats
2 Tbs - Kaolin clay
2 Tbs - finely ground herbs: lavender, rosemary & peppermint

0.75oz/21.26g - EO Blend: tea tree, cedarwood, lavender & spearmint - mixed in the kaolin clay/herb powder

Makes 12 - 2 oz bars and several sample sizes.

Don't want to create products? Don't have the time? That's ok. I put everything I make in the videos on my Etsy and Shopify stores (once they are ready to be sold, please understand this may take several weeks due to curing time).

You can find them here:
Etsy: https://sha0628.etsy.com
Shopify: https://sherrisheavenlyapothecary.mys...

Connect with me:
Email: [email protected]

Please consider subscribing to my channel and joining me along the journey!

Thank you for stopping by, I really appreciate it, and until next time, take good care!
Sherri